THE SUTRA ON PRAISE OF THE PURE LAND
AND PROTECTION BY SHAKYAMUNI
Translated on Imperial order in Chinese
by Tripitaka Master Hsuan-Tsang
of Great T”ang Dynasty
Translated from Chinese by Hisao Inagaki
[1] Thus have I heard:
At one time the Bhagavat was staying in Jeta Grove monastery in Anathapindada”s Garden at Shravasti, together with a large company of twelve hundred and fifty monks, who were all venerable Sravakas and well-known great Arhats. They were headed by eminent Sravakas, such as the Venerable Shariputra, Mahamaudgalyayana, Mahakashyapa, and Aniruddha. He was also accompanied by innumerable bodhisattvas, Mahasattvas, who were all dwelling in the Stage of Non-retrogression and were adorned with immeasurable merits and virtues, headed by great bodhisattvas, such as Bodhisattva Manjushri, Bodhisattva Ajita, Bodhisattva Nityodyukta, and Bodhisattva Aniksipta-dhura. Also in the assembly were a hundred thousand kotis of nayutas [of devas] headed by Shakra along with the King of Mahabrahma Heaven, the Lord of Saha world, as well as the Four Guardian Kings and others. Many demi-gods, innumerable heavenly and human beings, asuras, and others assembled and took their seats to hear the Dharma.
[2] The Bhagavat said to Shariputra: "Do you know that if you travel westward from here, passing a hundred thousand kotis of nayutas of Buddha-lands, you come to the land called ”Utmost Bliss,” where there is a Bhagavat named ”Amitayus” or ”Amitabha” with ten titles, including Tathágata, Arhat and Samyaksambuddha. He is living there at this very moment, teaching the profound and wonderful Dharma to sentient beings to give them supreme benefit and bliss.
[3] "Why, Shariputra, is that land called ”Utmost Bliss”
Shariputra, beings in that land suffer no afflictions and pain but experience only pure immeasurable joy and happiness. For this reason, that land is called ”Utmost Bliss.”
"Again, Shariputra, in the pure Buddha-land of Utmost Bliss there are seven rows of jeweled balustrades, seven rows of jeweled tala-trees, and sevenfold jeweled nets, which surround everywhere and are completely decorated with four jewels, namely, gold, silver, beryl and crystal. Shariputra, that Buddha-land is full of such glorious adornments of supreme qualities, which are most pleasing to the mind. For this reason, that land is called ”Utmost Bliss.”
"Again, Shariputra, in the pure Buddha-land of Utmost Bliss here and there are many seven-jeweled ponds filled with water of eight excellent qualities, namely, (1) pure, (2) cool, (3) sweet-tasting, (4) soft, (5) moistening, (6) comforting, (7) quenching thirst, hunger and many other needs, and (8) nourishing the senses, increasing the activities of the four elements and producing superior goodness. Sentient beings with a large stock of merits always enjoy using such water. The bottom of these ponds is lined with gold sand, and from the four sides of each pond rise stairs made of the four jewels, most pleasing to the mind. Marvelous jeweled trees surrounding the ponds are evenly spaced, scented with rich fragrance and decorated with the seven delightful jewels, namely, gold, silver, beryl, crystal, rosy pearls, carnelian and sapphire.
"In the ponds, at all times, lotuses of various colors as large as chariot-wheels are in bloom. Blue flowers radiate blue light, brilliance and splendor; yellow ones radiate yellow light, brilliance and splendor; red ones radiate red light, brilliance and splendor; white ones radiate white light, brilliance and splendor; four-colored ones radiate four-colored light, brilliance and splendor. Shariputra, that Buddha-land is full of such glorious adornments of supreme qualities, which are most pleasing to the mind. For this reason, that land is called ”Utmost Bliss.”
"Again, S…
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